How long can you stay in Greece without a visa? If you want to travel without a visa, you need to know if you require a Schengen visa; if you do, you should know that your visa will expire at some point. However, if you don’t, how long will the Greek authorities allow you to remain in the country before you are considered an illegal resident? These and more are some of the questions about the Greece visa application process will be answered in this post.
Do All Visitors Need A Visa To Enter Greece?
For starters, you should know that not every visitor needs a Greece Schengen visa to enter Greece. Greece is a European Union member and a signatory to the Schengen Convention. Due to its association with these organizations, citizens from other EU member states and Schengen countries don’t require a visa to visit Greece. Secondly, citizens of the US, the UK, and a few other countries can freely enter Greece without a visa.
These States fall under the visa-exempt list, so their citizens can enter the country with their passports. Citizens of EU countries who don’t have a passport may enter with a valid ID card.
How long Can You Stay In Greece Without A Visa?
If you are from a Schengen or EU country, US, UK, or any other visa-free country, you may be allowed into Greece without a visa, but you cannot stay indefinitely. The law states that visa-free visitors can stay for up to 90 days and not a day more. If they wish to stay for longer, then they have to visit the Greek immigration office nearest to them to apply for an extension.
The immigration authorities may grant the applicant an extension of 90 days or less, after which they must leave the country. Intending visitors to Greece are advised to apply for a Greek Schengen visa before they visit if they are likely going to spend more than 90 days in the country.
Applying For Resident Permits
Citizens from visa-free countries may apply for resident permits in Greece only if they qualify. There are different types of permits, and they are only issued to foreigners who have stayed in the country for some time and fulfill several conditions. They must also have obtained a visa before applying for residency to remain in the country permanently.
Only adults may apply for a resident permit. For minors, their parents, guardians, or relatives may apply on their behalf and prove that they have legal rights over the minor.
Types of Greece Visa
In case you are not from a visa-exempt country or you are but have plans to stay in Greece beyond the 90 days period, you need to apply for a visa. There are different visas available for foreign nationals, such as the following.
Employment Visa: The employment visa is for foreigners who are coming into the country to work. To be eligible for this visa, they must have secured employment first. Work visas exist for various professions, such as skilled and semi-skilled workers. Employment visas have a longer duration and qualify the holder for a resident permit.
Student Visa: Students are more than likely to stay in Greece longer than 90 days, so they need a visa even if they come from a visa-free country. This visa is valid for as long as the course lasts, but the applicant must first secure admission with a tertiary institution in the country first before applying to the embassy for a visa.
Tourist Visa: Tourists from visa-free countries planning on staying longer than the 90-day period may have to apply for a tourist visa. However, most tourists don’t stay for that long. Secondly, this visa is a short-stay visa.
There are different types of visas, but the ones listed above are the most common visas foreigners apply for.
How To Apply For a Greece Visa?
You can apply for a visa by visiting the Greek embassy in your country. However, if you want to apply for a tourist or business visa which is for short visits, you may apply for a visa valid via VisaHQ. Here are the steps to take.
Log onto VisaHQ
Choose Greece as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Pick your preferred visa of choice
Complete the application form
Scan and upload your documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
The process takes a few days, and if successful, the visa will be sent to your registered email address.
Documents Required To Apply For A Visa.
There are Greece Schengen visa requirements you must meet.These are the documents you will need
Valid passport not older than 10 years with at least 6 months of validity
Proof of funds
Proof of accommodation
Medical Insurance (€30,000 minimum)
Two recent passport photographs
Itinerary
Cover letter
Now that you know how long can you stay in Greece without a visa, visit VisaHQ now or the embassy to apply for a visa if you plan to stay longer than 90 days.